ohio farm bureau federation

Released Jan. 27, 2012. The National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) announces all sheep and lamb inventory in the United States on Jan. 1, 2012, was down 2 percent from 2011. Breeding sheep inventory was down 3 percent.

According to the latest USDA reports, milk production in 23 major states during December totaled 15.4 billion pounds, up 2.7 percent from December 2010.

The planted area for winter wheat for harvest in 2012 is estimated at 41.9 million acres, up 3 percent from 2011 and 12 percent above 2010.

Varying weather conditions around the country, from flooding to drought, had a major impact on crop production in 2011. USDA has released the annual report.

Inventory of all hogs and pigs on Dec. 1, 2011 was 65.9 million head, up 2 percent from Dec. 1, 2010, but down 1 percent from Sept. 1, 2011. Breeding inventory, at 5.80 million head, up slightly from last year, but down slightly from the previous quarter. Market hog inventory, at 60.1 million head, up 2 percent from last year, but down 1 percent from last quarter.

Milk production in the 23 major States during November totaled 14.7 billion pounds, up 2.2 percent from November 2010. October revised production at 15.2 billion pounds, was up 2.5 percent from October 2010. The October revision represented an increase of 1 million pounds or less than 0.1 percent from last month's preliminary production estimate.

Butter prices in the United States (US) price per pound decreased 1.8 cents from the previous week and cheddar cheese is down 6.2 cents from the previous week.

For September 2011, United States and Canadian inventory of all hogs and pigs was 78.6 million head. This was up 1 percent from September 2010. but down slightly from September 2009.

Broiler-type eggs set down 7 %as of Oct. 29, 2011. Average hatchability for chicks hatched during the week was 84 %.

Fall season fresh vegetables harvested area is up 5 percent and melon harvested areas is up 11 percent over last year numbers.